A grey spot at a grey church?

Is Martinborough harbouring a road traffic accident “grey” spot – just beside a church already closed for worship by its owners as an earthquake risk?

 The “Stop” signed Princess St/Kitchener St (State Highway 53) intersection is reportedly the worst accident location currently in the Wairarapa Valley area, according to statistics from Waka Kotahi/New Zealand Transport Agency released “exclusively” to the Times Age newspaper under the Official Information Act.

A total 10 crashes have been recorded at the intersection in the past 12 years, eight of them since 2019. One caused serious injury and a helicopter trip to hospital for one of the three people  involved.

Four other crashes caused minor injuries, while five were non-injury accidents.

As there have been no fatal accidents so far, Waka Kotahi does not designate the intersection as an accident “black spot.” 

SWDC is likely reviewing the scene, signage and speed limits involved.